MO150

I have a 2004 supercab f150 and pull a 3200 lb, dual axle horse trailer. Should I use the trailer jack to take some of the weight off the truck when the trailer and truck are sitting for 4-6 hours, overnight?

Dragonsm

Whenever I pull anything, and it sits overnight, I do not unhook or use a trailer jack. If memory serves me correct, normal balanced trailer weight is about 10% at the tongue.

It sounds like a great idea, until you forget to put it back up that one time and catch it.

Steve Osborne

any stop overnight ...I would use the jack....less wear and tear on the springs and suspension ..

PerryB

Absolutely unnecessary. Do you really think 350-400 lbs static load on the ball is going to flatten the springs? There is no cycling or shock. You could leave it sitting for ten years and it wouldn't reduce the spring arch. Its the cycling (bending) that flattens springs.

seaeagle2

X2 If you have a load in the bed and you stop for lunch, do you unload the bed ?

humblerb

I do it just to release pressure on springs and on tires.
Can't hurt anything, unless you decide to try to get to the end of the street with it still down.
As for those asking if you offload a payload, my reply is No, I don't. BUT, if I could twist a jack a few revolutions and relieve the load a little, I certainly would.
Again, doesn't hurt a thing and might give your equipment a rest.

berty

I'll put the trailer jack down. Probably don't need to, but I know how I feel after a squat for an extended period of time, don't want my baby to have to go through that lol

sunofabeach

I probably would only because it would help stabilize the trailer and take out some of the bounce.

Steve Osborne

steel of today is not steel of yesteryear's....
the factory arch is not superman....so as I see it some will help the arch and others will not...you have the tongue jack decide yes or no...

Velosprout

When stopping for an overnight camp en route to a destination, I may use a pull-through campsite, remain hitched, and just put down the stabilizers. Don't put the tow jack down.